When the World break (9)

Alypos crouched near the edge of the river, his fingers barely skimming the water's surface. He felt the subtle vibrations of the earth beneath him as he observed the massive creature, the Xiangliu Titanoboa, engaged in battle with something even more monstrous. A crash, the earth trembling beneath him, and a ripple of energy that threatened to disturb his concentration—then, suddenly, a familiar sense of power radiated from the water. The Titanoboa had noticed him, or rather, it knew he was there.

Alypos had mastered the manipulation of water, but this—this was on a whole different level. The serpent didn't see him, not yet, but it sensed him. Its massive body slithered through the water with astonishing speed, the very air vibrating with its movements.

Alypos reacted instinctively, slipping into the river as a murky veil of water surrounded him. He allowed himself to drift, his presence hidden beneath the liquid, waiting, observing.

Through the shifting currents and the distant thunder of the ongoing battle, Alypos sensed the creature's eyes searching for him—searching not with sight but with something deeper. It knows I'm here.

He held his breath and remained still, his heartbeat the only sound in his ears as he waited for the inevitable.

Then, unexpectedly, it came—an intrusion. "Who are you?"

The voice was unexpected, not from the air, but from within his mind. It was feminine, young, curious. What is this?

The words settled in Alypos's consciousness like a whispered ripple on the water. He held back a flinch and responded, "I'm a human, and also the Master of water."

The answer lingered in the space between them, and then a low chuckle echoed in his mind. The serpent was amused. " Master of water, you?" It was more of an incredulous laugh than a question, its eyes gleaming with a sense of mischief.

"We shall see if you truly are the master of water. It has been so long since a creature has communicated with me… Tell me, human, what should we do to entertain ourselves?"

Alypos hesitated, his mind racing.

The creature didn't seem hostile, at least not immediately. But it was powerful—too powerful to dismiss outright. His mind worked quickly.

"Let us have a competition" The serpent's voice took on a teasing quality, as though it was relishing the thought.

" Since you claim to be the master of water, I too shall test your claim. I will control the water, and then, you must take it from me. If you can, I will accept you as a worthy adversary. If you fail…"

Alypos narrowed his eyes, processing the offer. His first instinct was to turn down the challenge, but there was something about the arrogance in the serpent's voice, the smugness that unsettled him. He could use that arrogance to his advantage.

"What are the stakes?" he asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.

The Xiangliu Titanoboa responded with an even deeper laugh that reverberated through the water around them, shaking the riverbanks.

"If I win, you will become my subordinate. A human, my servant." The serpent's voice dropped lower, as though savoring the moment. 

Alypos considered the proposition. He had no reason to trust the Titanoboa, but his instincts told him there was something more beneath its words—something that could be of use to him.

"How can I trust you to follow through on your word?" questioned Alypos.

The serpent's eyes narrowed, and the temperature of the water seemed to drop. "We, the Xiangliu Titanoboas, do not lie. We find lies abhorrent. This will be your first warning, human. Do not mistake my patience for weakness."

The warning lingered in the air, cold and unyielding.

Alypos didn't flinch. His thoughts were already elsewhere, analyzing the situation. He needed to win this challenge. But if he lost, the consequences were far too dangerous to imagine.

"Then, if I win, you will be my ally until the day I die", Alypos stated, his voice calm, but his mind brimming with determination.

The serpent tilted its head, intrigued. "And how long do your kind live?"

Alypos hesitated, then responded, "About a hundred years, though stronger ones can live longer."

The Titanoboa was silent for a moment. "A hundred years… that is not a short or long time to a creature like me, but it is manageable. I accept your terms, human."

Alypos watched as the creature's massive form coiled within the river, its eyes glinting with something close to amusement. The game had begun.

"Would you like me to get out, or shall we begin? Alypos asked, his tone neutral, though his mind was already aligning itself with the water around him."

"It matters not", the serpent replied. Let us begin.

And with that, the Titanoboa's immense will collided with the water.

A blue hue surged through the river, and Alypos felt the force of the creature's control.

A massive image began to form in the water—an abstraction, something akin to the serpent itself, yet even larger, an almost overwhelming presence that seemed to swallow the river in its shape.

It was a demonstration of power, a statement that the Titanoboa was in control.

Alypos smirked inwardly. This was a challenge, but not one that was beyond him. He snicked, little portion it said. 

***

As the snake slithered through the cool, glistening waters, a sense of confidence surged within it. Every ripple and wave felt like an extension of its being, a testament to its deep connection with the element. Water was not merely a substance; it was a part of its essence, flowing in rhythm with its thoughts and emotions.

The snake knew that controlling water required more than just strength. It needed will, a force of intent that resonated with the very molecules of the liquid around it. It recalled the teachings that it received in its memories received since birth: to exert control, one must channel greater will and mana than any current handler of the element. But for the snake, this challenge felt almost trivial. Its affinity for water was unrivaled, giving it an innate ability to manipulate the currents with ease.

It was this strong elemental affinity that made the snake feel invincible. Compared to others who struggled to command the waters, the snake found that its connection was not only powerful but instinctual. It could sense the water responding to its commands, yielding readily to its influence. Unlike formidable opponents who might wield greater raw power, they lacked the finesse that came from a true bond with the element.

The snake chuckled inwardly at the notion of interspecies rivalry. Even among beings of similar power, those with a deeper affinity would always hold the upper hand. It remembered the stories of elder dragons, and their bloodline/affinity granting them control over normal dragons, even if the latter is more powerful. This hierarchy resonated deeply within the snake, reinforcing its belief in the significance of elemental affinity.

Feeling the cool embrace of the water, the snake focused its energy, letting its emotional state strengthen its control. Calm and assured, it effortlessly gave life to the currents, swirling them into mesmerizing shapes. It reveled in the knowledge that in this aquatic realm, it reigned supreme, bound by no one but itself, a master of its domain. After all, in the dance of the elements, it was not just force that dictated power; it was the connection that ran deeper than mere strength.

***

Narrowing his focus. He summoned the water, feeling its pulse under his command. He poured only 30% of his mana into it—just enough to push against Titanoboa's control but not so much that it would exhaust him too quickly. He needed to conserve.

The snake's thoughts, however, were far more confident. "Water control is my domain. To defeat me, you would need far more than this."

But Alypos's affinity with water was deep. His understanding of its flow, of its essence, surpassed the mere manipulation of it.

The more he submerged himself in its depths, the more he could hear the water's voice. It responded to his will, to his connection.

He could feel the Titanoboa's control over it, but his control was different. It wasn't just a battle of strength—it was a battle of understanding and his affinity unlike others could increase due to the karmic system.

Alypos closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the water's pulse match his own heartbeat. His will, tempered by the coldness of his resolve, was sharper now. With a single thought, he commanded the river.

To rise.

The water began to rise.

The Xiangliu Titanoboa hissed, its eyes narrowing in disbelief as the water began to defy its control. The river, which had once been its domain, now bent to Alypos's will. The massive form of the Titanoboa seemed small in comparison as the water swelled upward, twisting and contorting at Alypos's command.

Lifting Alypos to a height above the snake.

He looked down on it, from above, the tables have turned.

Alypos's blue hair cascaded down his face, his lean muscles rippling as he stood tall, his form rising with the water.

He had surpassed the serpent in height now, the massive wave of water lifting him above Titanoboa's massive coils.

For the first time, the creature saw him—not just as an unseen presence, but as a force in his own right.

Alypos smirked, his voice calm but laced with authority.

"I am the Master of water."